The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has officially announced its national training squad, assembling the country’s top pugilists as they compete for selection to represent Guyana at the 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championships.
The tournament, set to be held in St. Lucia from February 27 to March 3, marks the event’s long-awaited return after a five-year hiatus.
The Caribbean Boxing Championships has historically been the region’s premier amateur boxing competition, bringing together the finest talents from across the Caribbean. Guyana, a dominant force in regional boxing, last claimed the overall championship title in 2018 when the tournament was hosted on home soil.
At the last edition of the tournament in 2019, held in Trinidad and Tobago, the national team delivered a strong performance, and with the competition now returning, Guyana’s squad is determined to reclaim its status as the Caribbean’s best.
Heading the list of contenders is Olympian Keevin Allicock, a dominant featherweight who secured gold medals at the championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Allicock is eager to extend his unbeaten run and solidify his reputation as one of the region’s top fighters.
Another key figure in the squad is accomplished middleweight Desmond Amsterdam, a bronze medalist at the 2022 South American Games. With his international experience and resilience, Amsterdam is expected to play a crucial role in Guyana’s campaign for victory in St. Lucia.
Joining Allicock and Amsterdam in the training camp is a strong lineup of talented boxers, including Leon Albert, Septon Barton, Quince Boyce, Clifton Graham, Travis Inveraray, Shaquain James, Dwayne July, Colin Lewis, Orlando Norton, Emma Noel Pompey, Ronaldo Sutton, Zidan Wray, Joel Williamson, and Abiola Jackman. Additionally, Keyon Britton, Lennox Lawrence, Ken Harvey, and Tofina Barker have been invited to train, further strengthening the squad’s depth.
The national team’s rigorous preparation and selection process will be overseen by an experienced coaching panel, including renowned Cuban coach Francisco Roldan, national coach Lennox Daniels, along with Clifton Moore and Jeff Roberts. Their expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that the final team is well-prepared to compete at the highest level.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle expressed his excitement about the tournament’s return and the potential of the squad. “We are thrilled to see the Caribbean Boxing Championships return after a long hiatus. This tournament has always been a crucial platform for our boxers to showcase their talent on the regional stage. I am confident that the best possible team will be selected, and we are focused on reclaiming our title as the Caribbean’s best,” Ninvalle stated.
With a history of success at the championships and a squad featuring a blend of seasoned champions and emerging prospects, Guyana’s boxing contingent is poised to make a significant impact in St. Lucia. The coming weeks of intense training will determine the final team that will proudly carry the Golden Arrowhead into battle, aiming to once again dominate Caribbean boxing.
